Sources confirm to FootballScoop that Tennessee and defensive coordinator Tim Banks are parting ways.
Banks signed a new deal with the Vols less year ago and our own John Brice shares he is owed roughly $3.75m in guaranteed money, and has offset obligation to seek employment elsewhere.
The Vols defense was one of the best in the nation during the 2024 season, prompting Banks to be honored as a finalist for the Broyles Award last season.
Defensively, the Vols ranked near the top in a number of categories last season as they made an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
However, this fall, the Vols took a step back on defense, ranking 92nd nationally in scoring defense allowing nearly 29 points per game after having to replace a number of high profile playerss.
Banks, who had been in the mix for a number of head coaching opportunities the last several years, previously served in defensive coordinator roles at Central Michigan, Cincinnati, and Penn State prior to joining Josh Heupel's staff on Rocky Top
Additional info from Banks' bio:
The owner of 18 years of FBS defensive coordinator experience, Tim Banks has been the architect of a Tennessee defense that has established itself among the nation’s best. Banks, a 2024 Broyles Award finalist, enters his fifth season as the Volunteers’ defensive coordinator on Josh Heupel’s staff in 2025.
Banks’ previous defensive coordinator experience includes five seasons at Penn State (2016-20), four seasons at Illinois (2012-15), two years at Cincinnati (2010-11) and three seasons at Central Michigan (2007-09). He has been a part of five conference championships during his career as both a player and a coach made 16 postseason appearances, including the 2024 College Football Playoff.
In 2024, Banks became the first defensive coordinator in Tennessee history to be tabbed a finalist for the Broyles Award, presented annually to college football’s top assistant coach. He was just the third coach – among all positions – in UT history to be named a finalist.
Over the past four seasons under Banks (2021-24), Tennessee has racked up 397 tackles for loss, which leads the SEC during that span. The Vols have finished in the top 15 nationally and top two in the SEC in tackles for loss in all four seasons under Banks. Four out of the 12 highest tackle-for-loss seasons in Tennessee history have occurred under his watch. In addition, the Vols have registered double-digit interceptions in four straight campaigns.
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